NACOGDOCHES — Hearne didn't have a clue how to slow Hughes Springs' running game, so Mustangs coach Chris Edwards offered a helping hand by having his team work on its passing game.

The unbeaten Mustangs (11-0) scored on their first eight possessions of the game and were never challenged in eliminating the Eagles, 70-20, in a Class 2A Division II Region III area playoff Friday at Stephen F. Austin's Homer Bryce Stadium.

The clock ran the entire second half, but that didn't prevent Hughes Springs from piling up 538 total yards, 494 on the ground with three players surpassing the century mark and a fourth only 12 yards shy of that mark.

Leading 56-7 early in the third quarter, Hearne came up with its only defensive stop of the game after three incomplete passes. The Ponies finished the game 3 of 7 for 44 yards.

All three of the Eagles' scores came on passes from junior quarterback Kyle Castillega, who finished the night 12 of 27 for 152 yards.

Fullback Michael Martinez was a workhorse of sorts with 102 yards and four touchdowns. Kane Sampson led the Mustangs with 118 yards on five carries, while Fred Hopkins ran for another 108 on three carries. Dustin Ganamillo had 88 yards, including a 51-yard scoring run.

Hughes Springs advances to the regional quarterfinals to play Centerville, a 34-7 winner over Garrison Friday.

It was seven possessions and seven touchdowns for the Mustangs in the first half.

The Ponies got on the scoreboard on their second play from scrimmage after the opening kickoff. Sampson broke free at the line and streaked 65 yards for a touchdown 48 seconds into the contest. Martinez's two-point conversion made it 8-0.

A quick three-and-out, and an even quicker six points for Hughes Springs followed. Hopkins sprinted around the Eagles' left side and outran the Hearne secondary for a 64-yard score.

For a few brief moments it appeared it might still be a competitive game when the Eagles flew 62 yards in seven plays for a touchdown. Kyle Castilleja completed 4 of 6 passes for all the yardage, including an 8-yard pass to Shaquille Brown for the touchdown.

It took the Mustangs eight plays to answer and prove there would be no stopping the Ponies' slot-T in the first two quarters. Martinez, who ran for 85 yards on 14 carries in the opening half, scored the first of his three first-half touchdowns on a 4-yard run with 4:35 left in the first quarter.

Two Hearne turnovers in the second period helped Hughes Springs turn the contest into a laugher for the Mustangs and a nightmare for the Eagles.

The Mustangs piled up 385 yards during the first two quarters, 341 on the ground. Hopkins had 108 on three carries, and Sampson 97 on three totes.

It appeared the only thing the Mustangs couldn't do at the start was kick an extra point, and Chad McKinney demonstrated that wasn't true by booting a PAT after Shelton's 5-yard scoring run with 1:49 left in the first half.

Hughes Springs' defense was also impressive in the opening half, limiting Hearne to 98 yards.

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Class 2A Division II Region III Area Playoff
At Homer Bryce Stadium, Nacogdoches
Hughes Springs 70, Hearne 20 
Hearne                    7    0    7    6    —   20
Hughes Springs      22  27  14    7    —   70
First Quarter
HS--Kane Sampson 65 run (Michael Martinez run), 11:12.
HS-Fred Hopkins 64 run (Trent Shelton run), 9:13,
Hearne-Shaquille Brown 8 pass from Kyle Castilleja (Eric Price kick), 7:01.
HS-Martinez 4 run (run failed), 4:35.
Second Quarter
HS-Martinez 2 run (pass failed), 11:04.
HS-Martinez 1 run (Zach Bassham pass from Shelton), 8:21.
HS-Sampson 29 run (kick failed), 6:09.
HS-Shelton 5 run (Chad McKinney kick), 1:49.
Third Quarter
HS-Martinez 7 run (McKinney kick), 10:06.
Hearne-Brown 20 pass from Castilleja (Price kick), 4:33.
HS-Dustin Garamillo 51 run (McKinney kick), 1:41.
Fourth Quarter
Hearne-Jamarcus Johnson 32 pass from Castilleja (kick failed), 10:39.
HS-McKinney 4 run (McKinney kick), 7:11.

                                     HEA                  HS
First Downs                        12                   23
Rushing Yards                22-53            43-494
Passing Yards                   152                   44
Comp.-Att.-Int.            12-27-1              3-7-0
Punts-Avg.                    4-40.5              1-1.0
Fumbles-Lost                     2-2                 1-0
Penalties-Yards                 6-55               4-21

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING—Hearne, L. Castilleja 5-15, Marcjavion McGrew 11-32, Eric Price 5-6. Hughes Springs, Trent Shelton 5-48, Michael Martinez 19-102, Kane Sampson 5-118, Fred Hopkins Jr. 3-108, Dustin Garamillo 5-88, Chad McKinney 5-21, Greg Morgann 1-9.
PASSING—Hearne, L. Castilleja 12-27-1-152. Hughes Springs, Shelton 3-7-0-44.
RECEIVING—Hearne, Johnson 6-78, Shaquille Brown 6-73. Hughes Springs, Eric Berryhill 1-7, Zack Bassham 1-29, McKinney 1-8.

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